Waterproof fiber sheet and insole made therefrom.



W. G. ABBOTT, JR. WATERPROOF FIBER SHEET AND INS OLE MADE THEREFROM.

APPLICATTON FILED JULY 23,1915- I Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

Inwemivr 24w. #mm

I UNITED 'sTATEsPATE T OFFICE.

WILLIAM G. ABBOTT, .13., E WILTOLLVNEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR 'I'OJ. SPAULDING & SONS 00., or ROCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, A, COIEARTNERSHIP COMPRISING EMMA c. SPAULDING AND MARION L. SPAULDING, BoTH or BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

' ROLAND SPA'ULDING AND HUNTLEY N.-SPAULDING, BOTH OF ROCHESTER, NEW I HAMPSHIRE, AND LEON O. SPAULDING, 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

WATERPROOF FIBER SHEE Ann I soLE MADE THEREFROM.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1918..

Application filed July 23, 1915. Serial No. 41,579.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. ABBOTT,

J r., a citizen of the United States, residing in Wilton, in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvementin Waterproof Fiber Sheets and Insoles Made Therefrom, ofwhich the following description, in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts. r

This invention relates to a sheet or layer 7 of fibrous material of the .character known as chemically-treated fiber, and has for its object to improve such sheet so that a superior product is obtained, which is especially adapted among other uses to be employed in the manufacture of boots and shoes and. especially welted'boots and shoes, as the in-.

soles thereof. v

Chemicallywtreated fiber sheets are made i from a plurality of plies or layers of paper and are rendered pliable by moisture present in the fiber.

Chemically-treated fiber employed by me is a product composed in whole or in part of cotton rags which are-treated with suitable chemicals known to the trade to render the same substantially hard, non-stretchable and non-compressible, and the fiber thus treated is then treated with glycerin or other chemical in the presence'of water to rendertthe hard fiber pliable or flexible, the glycerin or. other chemical incorporated inthe fiber act-.

ing to retain a sufficient quantity of water to insure the pliability desired.

In accordance wi h the present invention,

the pliable fiber sheet is provided with one or more coatings of pyroxylin or like moisture-repelling material having the property of forming an antifriction wearing surface,

7 whereby the fiber sheet retains its p'liability insoles.

for a relatively long time and is provided with a water'- repelling and antifriction' wearing surface, which especially adapts the fiber sheet for use as an insole for boots and shoes as a satisfactory substitute for leather The fiber sheet may and preferably will be coated with pyroxylin by passing the sheet preferably a plurality of times through a bath vof pyroxylin. The fiber sheet thus treated, is particularly serviceable in the manufacture of boots and shoes especially as the insole thereof, for the reason that such insole remains pliable and firm'for a relatively long time, owing tq the fact that the coating of pyroxylin forms a water-repelling layer, which prevents the escape of moisture from within the fiber and the entrance of external moisture into the fiber;

with a durable, smooth, antifriction wearing surface,'which is bonded with the fibers of the insole and increases the strength thereof,

and further because said sheet is provided and which reduces to a minimum friction Referring to the drawing, a represents a sheet of chemically treated or pliable hard fiber of the character referred to, in the form of an insole, which is provided on its outer surfaces with layers or coatings, indicated by the heavy lines 'b. The interior body portion (1 represents the natural condition of the pliable fiber sheet. a

By reference to the drawing, it will be observed that the moisture in the interior portion of the fiber Sheet or insole a, is practically sealed within the sheet, and that external moisture is also sealed outsideof the sheet, consequently the pliability of the insole or of a larger sheet; from which the insole a is cut will remain unimpaired for a relatively long time under adverse conditions. It is preferred to use pyroxylin as the stir-- facedayer or coating, but it is not desired tolimit the invention this respect, as other varnish materials, such as cellulose acetate,

celluloid, resins, thickened oils, asphaltum,

etc., may be used.

-It will therefore'be seen, that a pliable fiber sheet, of either pliable hard or chemically treated fiber when provided'witha surface coating of pyroxylin is especially adapted for use as insoles for boots and shoes, as insoles made from such-sheet are superior to those made from untreated chemically-treated fiber sheets, in that they retain their pliability and firmness for a relatively long time, are rendered moisturerepellent, are of increased strength, their life is prolonged, and they have the property ofreducing friction.

Claims:

1. A sheet of chemically-treated fiber of that character Which has Within it a medium for rendering the sheet pliable, said sheet being provided at its surface With a layer of pyroxylin Which serves to retain said mediuIn vvithin. the sheet, repels external moisture and forms an antifriction Wearing surcharacter which has Within it a medium for v.

rendering said sheet pliable, said sheet having' at its surfaces layers of material Which serve to retain said medium Within said sheet, repel external moisture and provide the insole With antifriction wearing surfaces.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM G. ABBOTT, JR. 

